|
 hether you are on the move in your car or
making a move to a new home, energy efficiency can significantly reduce
your
operating costs.
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Power$mart and Energy Consciousness Car
Tips
- If you
are in the market for a new car, think high gas mileage to save hundreds of
dollars in fuel bills over the life of the car and reduce pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions. www.fueleconomy.gov
- If
everyone purchased one of the four most efficient models in each class (sedans,
sub-compacts, SUVs, light trucks), fuel economy would be 12 percent higher,
according to EPA. Americans would save 13.1 billion gallons of gasoline
annually, or the equivalent of 157 million tons of greenhouse
gasses.
- Improve your existing or new car’s fuel economy 9
percent (about 2 mpg) to save 43 gallons, $53 dollars, and 820 pounds of
CO2 emissions annually by taking three easy steps:
(1) get a tune-up to improve fuel economy 6-9 percent, (2) drive a little
slower -- for each mph you drive less than 65, you save about 2 percent, and
(3) properly inflate the tires so that you don’t lose 1-2 percent in fuel
economy for each pound of under-inflation.
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Looking to rent or buy a new home? If you
have previously experienced costly repairs to achieve savings and comfort, you
may know the value of a quality, energy-efficient home. Beyond earlier points
in this booklet, how might you know if a home is built to the highest
efficiency standards?
Power$mart Tips
 |
Look for new homes with the Energy Star. They are certified to use
at least 30 percent less energy than required by the national Model Energy Code
and typically feature high-performance windows, advanced insulation and
sealing, and high-efficiency appliances and heating/cooling systems. (Energy
Star homes site: www.energystar.gov) |
|
Obtain a home energy rating to determine a home’s relative
energy efficiency prior to pur-chasing to see what upgrades would have the
greatest payoff. The cost can sometimes be financed as part of an
energy-efficient mortgage. |
|
If you are refinancing your home, consider wrapping in energy home
improvements. Your interest may be tax deductible. |
Energy
Consciousness Tips
|
Consider landscaping around the home. Planting evergreen trees on
the north side and deciduous (leafy) trees on the south side of a home can
block winter winds and summer sun. |
You can rest assured that
energy-efficient homes, products, and cars will do the work of cutting your
utility and gasoline bills, increasing your comfort, and decreasing pollution
day after day, year after year. They pay off now and in the
future. |
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